Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-24
uccess for. as he said, Sometimes
nal,o and som chimes 1 loco and I nannnf

make, and sometimes l lose, and l cannot |
tell what the end viii be-
But when things began to go wrong with
Joel Comfort he had first, from feeling of
half shame, hesitated to let John know.
And when by the failure of bank the
savings Of years were swept away, and by
the death of brother whose notes he had
Endorsed for large amount, he was forced
to sell part of his farm and mortgage the
remainder, he had said, What's the use
of worrying John about it? l guess he's
having all he can do to keep his own head
cboye water" And so while TRIALS and
cares gathered around the old home, the
letters that went out from it gave no hint
But few weeks before letter had come
from John that he was tired of drifting
around tire world and had determined to
come back and spend the rest of his life
among Che old scenes. u have been sick, ~
he wrote, =" and have met with losses, but l
hope TO be able after little to do some
thing, and thinking that father will let me
live On the north farm, l. will be at home
witt my wife to eat Thanksgiving dinner"
John coming home with wife was news
indeed, and quickly an answer told him
how glad they were. BE sure, dear John,
BIS mother wrote in her trembling hand,
whatever we have is freely yours, but
your father is growing old and has not
been getting along so well of late years. =
What does that mean?" exclaimed John
Comfort, as he read the letter in Nevada
mining town. wonder if things have
been going wrong at home, and the old
folks, bless their hearts, won't let me
know"
Thanksgiving morning dawned clear and
cold, with now and then light sprinkle of
snow. The cid farmhouse was early astir
that all should be in readiness when the
stage came from the neighboring railroad
town, near noon. Fires were lit in the I'M
used rooms, the table spread with an array
of good things, the turkey put to bake. An
unwonted air of overlooking abundance
prevailed the house. Mr.. Comfort donned
his Sunday suit and Mrs. Comfort her
black cashmere dress and the gold watch
and chain John had sent her, and was Just
laying out her best cap when the opening
of the door startled her, and before she had
time to think, tall, bearded man had her
in his arms, exclaiming, Mother, don't
you know your boy"
"Why, john" she exclaimed, between
laughter and tears, Pm as surprised to see
you as though we hadn't been looking for
you. How you have grown and changed.
But where's your wife?" asked the old
man, when the greeting had all been said.
"Oh, she'll be along by and by"
Ever since she had heard of John wife,
thought had troubled his mother. My
son" she said, when you went away l
thought you were engaged to Garry Snow"
yes, mother, was"
well, John" with a shade of anxiety
on her face, you always were an honor
able boy, trust you are so still, and that
sob, yes, mother" interrupting her with
twinkle of fun in his eye. that's all right;
Carry and / had an understanding, and
she's just as we'll satisfied as am. But
had you rather had married herr"
whoever you have married John,
shall love, but l did like Carry, though
haven't seen her since the Shows moved
west, eight years ago."
And then, as they drew around the fire
for quiet talk, the old people thinking
proudly how tall and fine John looked,
and he with gush of tenderness, how old
and worn his parents had grown, he said ::
And so, father, you won't mind if haven't
come back millionaire. Well. thought
you wouldn't. l thought the old place was
big enough for us both, and more than you
ought to work.
:" Yes, John, you are all have, an it's
all yours, but" Enthusiastically, 81 sold
the north farm two years ago."
"Sold the north farm! Why, thought
| that was your especial pride"
Yes, it is the prettiest piece of land in
town, but you see, Pm not so strong as
was once, and can't do the work l could"
But you keep hired help, of course, as
you used to, mother" glancing through the
| open door out into the kitchen. +" on
| don't do your work alone"
"Oh, | can do our little work well
enough" she answered, smiling, and try
| ing to look very strong.
And, John" said his father, "the
| help you get nowadays is 50 very poor L d
rather get along alone, an they ask enor-
| nous wages"
But, surely, father" pursued John
| piteously, lame and old as you are, you
ought not to work much, and the interest
on your money in the bank ought to pay
| your hired help, even if the farm doesn't"
| Joel Comfort moved uneasily in his chair,
and said, tOh, well, John, we want to
hear about yourself now"
NO" answered the young man. "You
are keeping something from me. What
| has become of the money in the bank
when l went away" Then, as his father
did not answer, Mother where is it?"
John, if you must know. the bank has
failed"
And why didn't you let me know
| this? ~ John, dear" said his mother,
coming to his side and stroking his hair as
she used 10 when he was boy, " it wasn't
that we didn't think you'd care, but we
| knew you we're having struggles an trials
| of your own to bear"
g see, but it was all wrong. You should
have let me know. l had a right to help
you in some way" John took his mothers
| hand and held it & moment; then rising,
walked hastily to tie " Ddow But,
| father" turning round, with a slight trem-
| bic in his voice, Surely you did not have
| to sell the north farm ," and then, as there
was a painful silence" How did that
happen?'
Joel Comfort gave a groan. John let's
not talk about it. it's Thanksgiving, dav
we have great deal to be thankful for, es.
pecially now that you've come home'
= Yes, bat want to know about this?"
said John
Well, then, l signed for your Uncle
| Calvin, an if ne had lived it would have
been all right, but you know his store
burned, an he was killed by falling wall
| as he was trying to save his books. Well,
the insurance didn't begin to cover the loss,
| and SO had to pay
And did the north farm settle it?"
mol" desperately. 81 had to sell it at a
| sacrifice, an mortgage this besides; if YOU
want the worst, there it is"
Oh, John " interpused the mother.
why must you inquire into it all the first
thing? We have the promise that thew
that trust in the Lord shall not lack any
good thing. He has given us each other,
that is great deal"
And so, without needing her, work
ing as bard, and scrimping as close as you
have been doing, don't try to deny it-you
were willing that l should come home half
sick, and bring wife to share the pit
lance"
John" said his father, Your mother
and [ knew how you would feel that's
why We wanted to keep it from you, es-
pecially as you've been sick and unfortu-
nate yourself; but if worse comes there'n
be the thirty acres | started with, that's
clear; we can manage to live on that |
guess, an if you an your wife can be con-
tent, that's all we ask
There was a suspicious moisture in
johns eyes, but at that moment lumber
ing vehicle drove up at the gate. and with
an exclamation, There's the stage ~ he
FASTENED to meet slender figure that
sprang lightly out. Mother" he sa d.
leading her to his mother. who stood wait
ing in the open door, with her hastily ad-
Iusted cap little awry, Here is my wife,
our wife-why. John ~ as q heavy